Russia Unveils Unmanned T-72 Assault Tank Design Already in Field Trials

The Russian Armed Forces’ new unmanned variant of the T-72 main battle tank has for the first time been unveiled its complete configuration during field trials. The heavily modified T-72 has been developed into an unmanned assault vehicle, which is intended to operate alongside command and control vehicles on the frontlines to lead advances into well defended enemy positions while minimising risks to personnel. Images or footage of the complete robotic complex in testing have never been publicised before, with their unveiling potentially indicating that important progress is being made in development. Referred to by local sources as the Shturm, the vehicle has been developed by the T-72’s former producer Uralvagonzavod, which currently owns the world’s largest known tank factory and is producing manned variants of the T-72’s successor, the T-90M, under license on a fast growing scale.

The unmanned T-72 assault vehicle uses a shortened 125mm D-414 main gun as its primary armament, and like the baseline T-72 benefits from an autoloader with 22 rounds, and a 7.62mm PKTM coaxial machine gun. Alternative armaments configurations for the vehicles include launchers for RPO-2 thermobaric rockets, and twin 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons, with unconfirmed reports indicating that a variant with a 152mm main gun may also be under development. Reflecting the program’s focus on city warfare, where tanks can face particularly serious challenges, the vehicle integrates a bulldozer blade for obstacle clearing and a comprehensive protection system. The T-72’s higher automation levels, and in particular its integration of an autoloader, could make development of an unmanned variant more straightforward, although the war in Ukraine has significantly reduced the number of surplus T-72s available in reserve storage for conversion should the program be completed.

The use of older classes of main battle tanks to develop unmanned variants is far from unprecedented, with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army having made similar efforts to robotise its Type 59 tanks which are available in significant numbers in reserve. The close strategic ties between China and Russia countries raises the possibility that Russian efforts to develop the Shturm may have benefitted from Chinese experience with its own prior program. The success of the Shturm program could lead Russia to develop purpose built unmanned tanks after initially gaining experience using converted Soviet era vehicles. It may also fuel renewed interest in the heavily automated T-14 tank design, which has significant potential to be converted into a command vehicle for unmanned tanks even if it is never financed for production as a main battle tank itself.